North Shore Animal League America – Home of the Mutt-i-gree  and the world’s largest no-kill rescue and adoption organization – announced that over 2,500 shelters in 50 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and six countries will join together for Pet Adoptathon Month in May.

Cesar Millan, internationally renowned dog expert and host of ‘The Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan’ on Nat Geo WILD, will serve as national spokesperson for this life-saving event sponsored by Purina ONE.

North Shore Animal League America will kick off the event at Pet Adoptathon Headquarters in New Yorkat 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 5th and remain open for 36 straight hours.  Thousands of participating shelters will host weekend Pet Adoptathon events promoting the benefits of shelter pet adoptions and showcasing the many beautiful and healthy animals that are available.

Pet Adoptathon activities will run through the month of May nationwide in an effort to raise awareness for shelter animals and save more lives.  Since its inception in 1995, Pet Adoptathon events have taken place all over the world, helping find permanent and loving homes for over 300,000 animals.

To promote shelter pets and animal welfare to the next generation, Millan partnered with the Animal League and Yale University School of the 21st Century to develop the Mutt-i-grees Curriculum, which is currently in over 900 schools in 39 states and in Canada.

Cesar’s Millan Foundation funds the Curriculum, which highlights the unique characteristics of shelter pets and builds on the affinity between children and animals to provide a unique context in which to teach compassion, empathy and social responsibility.

“My vision is for a life-long healthy relationship between dogs and people, and supporting the rescue, rehabilitation and adoption of homeless animals through events like Pet Adoptathon is a vital piece of making that happen,” said Millan. ”With the Mutt-i-grees Curriculum, we are increasing awareness of shelter animals while supporting the development of calm, confident and caring children who can make a difference in the lives of people, animals and the environment.”

Pet Adoptathon promotes the adoption of shelter pets, known as Mutt-i-grees. An estimated 8 million – 10 million dogs, cats, puppies and kittens enter United States shelters annually, and tragically over 4 million of these precious animals are euthanized.  Millions of lives can be saved when potential pet parents make the choice to adopt a pet from a shelter or rescue group, instead of purchasing a pet from a pet store.

Pet Adoptathon is possible thanks to the support of Presenting Sponsor, Purina ONE, and Supporting Sponsors Nat Geo WILD and the Mutt-i-grees Curriculum.  For more information on Pet Adoptathon Month or to find a participating shelter near you, please visit www.AnimalLeague.org.

Image Courtesy of   Joe Seer / Shutterstock.com

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